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Lakhani A, Chen X, Chen LC, Hong M, Khericha M, Chen Y, Chen YY, Park JO. Extracellular domains of CARs reprogramme T cell metabolism without antigen stimulation. Nat Metab 2024; 6:1143-1160. [PMID: 38658805 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01034-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Metabolism is an indispensable part of T cell proliferation, activation and exhaustion, yet the metabolism of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells remains incompletely understood. CARs are composed of extracellular domains-often single-chain variable fragments (scFvs)-that determine ligand specificity and intracellular domains that trigger signalling following antigen binding. Here, we show that CARs differing only in the scFv variously reprogramme T cell metabolism. Even without exposure to antigens, some CARs increase proliferation and nutrient uptake in T cells. Using stable isotope tracers and mass spectrometry, we observed basal metabolic fluxes through glycolysis doubling and amino acid uptake overtaking anaplerosis in CAR-T cells harbouring a rituximab scFv, unlike other similar anti-CD20 scFvs. Disparate rituximab and 14G2a-based anti-GD2 CAR-T cells are similarly hypermetabolic and channel excess nutrients to nitrogen overflow metabolism. Modest overflow metabolism of CAR-T cells and metabolic compatibility between cancer cells and CAR-T cells are identified as features of efficacious CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya Lakhani
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ximin Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laurence C Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mihe Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mobina Khericha
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Junyoung O Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Wu L, Brzostek J, Sakthi Vale PD, Wei Q, Koh CKT, Ong JXH, Wu LZ, Tan JC, Chua YL, Yap J, Song Y, Tan VJY, Tan TYY, Lai J, MacAry PA, Gascoigne NRJ. CD28-CAR-T cell activation through FYN kinase signaling rather than LCK enhances therapeutic performance. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:100917. [PMID: 36696897 PMCID: PMC9975250 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction induced by chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is generally believed to rely on the activity of the SRC family kinase (SFK) LCK, as is the case with T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Here, we show that CAR signaling occurs in the absence of LCK. This LCK-independent signaling requires the related SFK FYN and a CD28 intracellular domain within the CAR. LCK-deficient CAR-T cells are strongly signaled through CAR and have better in vivo efficacy with reduced exhaustion phenotype and enhanced induction of memory and proliferation. These distinctions can be attributed to the fact that FYN signaling tends to promote proliferation and survival, whereas LCK signaling promotes strong signaling that tends to lead to exhaustion. This non-canonical signaling of CAR-T cells provides insight into the initiation of both TCR and CAR signaling and has important clinical implications for improvement of CAR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wu
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Joanna Brzostek
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Previtha Dawn Sakthi Vale
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Qianru Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Clara K T Koh
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - June Xu Hui Ong
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Liang-Zhe Wu
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Jia Chi Tan
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Yen Leong Chua
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Jiawei Yap
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Yuan Song
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vivian Jia Yi Tan
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Triscilla Y Y Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Junyun Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul A MacAry
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Cancer Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas R J Gascoigne
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; Cancer Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Qin VM, Haynes NM, D'Souza C, Neeson PJ, Zhu JJ. CAR-T Plus Radiotherapy: A Promising Combination for Immunosuppressive Tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 12:813832. [PMID: 35095911 PMCID: PMC8790144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.813832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is the standard-of-care treatment for more than half of cancer patients with localized tumors and is also used as palliative care to facilitate symptom relief in metastatic cancers. In addition, RT can alter the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors to augment the anti-tumor immune response of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The rationale of this combination therapy can also be extended to other forms of immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. Similar to ICB, the efficacy of CAR-T therapy is also significantly impacted by the immunosuppressive TME, leading to compromised T cell function and/or insufficient T cell infiltration. In this review, we will discuss some of the key barriers to the activity of CAR-T cells in the immunosuppressive TME and focus on how RT can be used to eliminate or bypass these barriers. We will present the challenges to achieving success with this therapeutic partnership. Looking forward, we will also provide strategies currently being investigated to ensure the success of this combination strategy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Mengfei Qin
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole M Haynes
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Criselle D'Souza
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul J Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joe Jiang Zhu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Terry RL, Meyran D, Fleuren EDG, Mayoh C, Zhu J, Omer N, Ziegler DS, Haber M, Darcy PK, Trapani JA, Neeson PJ, Ekert PG. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell Therapy and the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Pediatric Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184704. [PMID: 34572932 PMCID: PMC8465026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review explores the current trials using cellular immunotherapies in pediatric sarcoma and describes examples of promising new CAR T targets in sarcoma that are in preclinical development. We provide insights into the ways in which the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment can impact on CAR T cell therapy, highlighting specific mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment may limit CAR T efficacy. Appreciation of these mechanisms may lead to rational combinations of immunotherapies, for example, the combination of CAR T cells with checkpoint inhibitor drugs. We also describe innovations in CAR T cell generation and combination therapies that may pave the way to better clinical outcomes for these patients. Abstract Sarcomas are a diverse group of bone and soft tissue tumors that account for over 10% of childhood cancers. Outcomes are particularly poor for children with refractory, relapsed, or metastatic disease. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells are an exciting form of adoptive cell therapy that potentially offers new hope for these children. In early trials, promising outcomes have been achieved in some pediatric patients with sarcoma. However, many children do not derive benefit despite significant expression of the targeted tumor antigen. The success of CAR T cell therapy in sarcomas and other solid tumors is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we provide an update of the CAR T cell therapies that are currently being tested in pediatric sarcoma clinical trials, including those targeting tumors that express HER2, NY-ESO, GD2, EGFR, GPC3, B7-H3, and MAGE-A4. We also outline promising new CAR T cells that are in pre-clinical development. Finally, we discuss strategies that are being used to overcome tumor-mediated immunosuppression in solid tumors; these strategies have the potential to improve clinical outcomes of CAR T cell therapy for children with sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael L. Terry
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
| | - Deborah Meyran
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
- Inserm, Université de Paris, U976 HIPI Unit, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, 75475 Paris, France
| | - Emmy D. G. Fleuren
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
| | - Joe Zhu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Natacha Omer
- Translational Innate Immunotherapy, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute (UQDI), Brisbane 4102, Australia;
- Oncology Services Group, Queensland Children Hospital, Brisbane 4101, Australia
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick 2145, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
| | - Phillip K. Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Joseph A. Trapani
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Paul J. Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Paul G. Ekert
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Randwick 2031, Australia; (R.L.T.); (E.D.G.F.); (C.M.); (D.S.Z.); (M.H.)
- School of Women and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2052, Australia
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 3000, Australia; (D.M.); (J.Z.); (P.K.D.); (J.A.T.); (P.J.N.)
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Gharghani MS, Simonian M, Bakhtiari F, Ghaffari MH, Fazli G, Bayat AA, Negahdari B. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for breast cancer. Future Oncol 2021; 17:2961-2979. [PMID: 34156280 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main reasons that researchers pay enormous attention to immunotherapy is that, despite significant advances in conventional therapy approaches, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death from malignant tumors among women. Genetically modifying T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) is one of the novel methods that has exhibited encouraging activity with relative safety, further urging investigators to develop several CAR T cells to target overexpressed antigens in breast tumors. This article is aimed not only to present such CAR T cells and discuss their remarkable results but also indicates their shortcomings with the hope of achieving possible strategies for improving therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mighmig Simonian Gharghani
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran
| | - Miganoosh Simonian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14177-55469, Iran
| | - Faezeh Bakhtiari
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-14336, Iran
| | - Mozhan Haji Ghaffari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14177-55469, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Fazli
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmad Bayat
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 14177-55469, Iran
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CART)-cell immunotherapies have opened a door in the development of specialized gene therapies for hematological and solid cancers. Impressive response rates in pivotal trials led to the FDA approval of CART-cell therapy for certain hematological malignancies. However, autologous CART products are costly and time-intensive to manufacture, and most patients experience disease relapse within 1 year of CART administration. Additionally, CART-cell efficacy in solid tumors is extremely limited. CART-cell therapy is also associated with serious toxicities. Manufacturing difficulties, intrinsic T-cell defects, CART exhaustion, and treatment-associated toxicities are some of the current barriers to widespread adoption of CART-cell therapy. Genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas systems have demonstrated efficacy in further engineering CART cells to overcome these limitations. In this review, we will summarize the current approaches that use CRISPR to facilitate off-the-shelf CART products, increase CART-cell efficacy, and minimize CART-associated toxicities.
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7
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Guo C, Dong E, Lai Q, Zhou S, Zhang G, Wu M, Yue X, Tao Y, Peng Y, Ali J, Lu Y, Fu Y, Lai W, Zhang Z, Ma F, Yao Y, Gou L, Yang H, Yang J. Effective antitumor activity of 5T4-specific CAR-T cells against ovarian cancer cells in vitro and xenotransplanted tumors in vivo. MedComm (Beijing) 2020; 1:338-350. [PMID: 34766126 PMCID: PMC8491242 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is considered to be the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and despite the development of conventional therapies and new therapeutic approaches, the patient's survival time remains short because of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, effective methods to control tumor progression are urgently needed. The oncofetal tumor-associated antigen 5T4 (trophoblast glycoprotein, TPBG) represents an appealing target for adoptive T-cell immunotherapy as it is highly expressed on the surface of various tumor cells, has very limited expression in normal tissues, and spreads widely in malignant tumors throughout their development. In this study, we generated second-generation human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with redirected specificity to 5T4 (5T4 CAR-T) and demonstrated that these CAR-T cells can elicit lytic cytotoxicity in targeted tumor cells, in addition to the secretion of cytotoxic cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-2, and GM-CSF. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of 5T4 CAR-T cells significantly delayed tumor formation in xenografts of peritoneal and subcutaneous animal models. These results demonstrate the potential efficacy and feasibility of 5T4 CAR-T cell immunotherapy and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical study of future immunotherapies targeting 5T4 for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - E Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qinhuai Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Guangbing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Mengdan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaozhu Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yiran Tao
- West China‐California Research Center for Predictive Intervention MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yujia Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jamel Ali
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringFAMU‐FSU College of EngineeringTallahasseeFlorida
| | - Ying Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuyin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Weirong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fanxin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- Healthy Food Evaluation Research Center/Sichuan UniversityWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth HospitalChengduPeople's Republic of China
| | - Lantu Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hanshuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanPeople's Republic of China
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Liu J, Xu M, Yuan Z. Immunoscore Guided Cold Tumors to Acquire “Temperature” Through Integrating Physicochemical and Biological Methods. BIO INTEGRATION 2020. [DOI: 10.15212/bioi-2020-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Immunotherapy for the treatment of tumors has become the most compelling strategy after targeted treatment, especially for lung cancer and melanoma, as well as some blood cancers. For most remaining types of tumors (e.g., pancreatic, colorectal, and breast cancers),
abundant immunotherapeutic strategies in the forms of immune checkpoint blockade, cancer vaccines, and CAR-T therapies produce little effect. Furthermore, the immunoreactions induced by various types of cancer and even in individual patients, differ among the single therapeutic immune checkpoint
inhibitors, whose pre-existing immunoreaction remains to be optimized for cancer immunotherapy. According to the density of the infiltrating lymphocyte subsets at the invasive margin or core of primary solid tumors, the tumors were classified into four grades using the immunoscore, which is
complementary to the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system in providing a better prognosis of cancer patients in addition to the classification of immunogenic hot tumors and non-immunogenic cold tumors. This review aimed to outline the features of the most difficult-to-treat and challenging
cold tumors and potential approaches to transform “cold” tumors into “hot” tumors, because hot tumors are associated with a higher response rate to immunotherapy. We also summarized the current popular strategies for enhancing T cell trafficking, which may be helpful
to provide an etiological basement for a more rational design of drug delivery systems and conquer drug-resistance during cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Mengze Xu
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
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Jung IY, Lee J. Unleashing the Therapeutic Potential of CAR-T Cell Therapy Using Gene-Editing Technologies. Mol Cells 2018; 41:717-723. [PMID: 30110720 PMCID: PMC6125425 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.0242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, an emerging immunotherapy, has demonstrated promising clinical results in hematological malignancies including B-cell malignancies. However, accessibility to this transformative medicine is highly limited due to the complex process of manufacturing, limited options for target antigens, and insufficient anti-tumor responses against solid tumors. Advances in gene-editing technologies, such as the development of Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9), have provided novel engineering strategies to address these limitations. Development of next-generation CAR-T cells using gene-editing technologies would enhance the therapeutic potential of CAR-T cell treatment for both hematologic and solid tumors. Here we summarize the unmet medical needs of current CAR-T cell therapies and gene-editing strategies to resolve these challenges as well as safety concerns of gene-edited CAR-T therapies.
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10
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Rewiring T-cell responses to soluble factors with chimeric antigen receptors. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:317-324. [PMID: 29377003 PMCID: PMC6035732 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells targeting surface-bound tumor antigens have yielded promising clinical outcomes, with two CD19 CAR-T cell therapies recently receiving FDA approval for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. The adoption of CARs for the recognition of soluble ligands, a distinct class of biomarkers in physiology and disease, could considerably broaden the utility of CARs in disease treatment. In this study, we demonstrate that CAR-T cells can be engineered to respond robustly to diverse soluble ligands, including the CD19 ectodomain, GFP variants, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). We additionally show that CAR signaling in response to soluble ligands relies on ligand-mediated CAR dimerization and that CAR responsiveness to soluble ligands can be fine-tuned by adjusting the mechanical coupling between the CAR's ligand-binding and signaling domains. Our results support a role for mechanotransduction in CAR signaling and demonstrate an approach for systematically engineering immune-cell responses to soluble, extracellular ligands.
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11
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Caratelli S, Sconocchia T, Arriga R, Coppola A, Lanzilli G, Lauro D, Venditti A, Del Principe MI, Buccisano F, Maurillo L, Ferrone S, Sconocchia G. FCγ Chimeric Receptor-Engineered T Cells: Methodology, Advantages, Limitations, and Clinical Relevance. Front Immunol 2017; 8:457. [PMID: 28496440 PMCID: PMC5406408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years, disappointing results have been generated by many investigations, which have utilized a variety of immunologic strategies to enhance the ability of a patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. However, in recent years, immunotherapy has been used successfully for the treatment of hematologic and solid malignancies. The impressive clinical responses observed in many types of cancer have convinced even the most skeptical clinical oncologists that a patient’s immune system can recognize and reject his tumor if appropriate strategies are implemented. The success immunotherapy is due to the development of at least three therapeutic strategies. They include tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), T cell checkpoint blockade, and TAA-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) T cell-based immunotherapy. However, the full realization of the therapeutic potential of these approaches requires the development of strategies to counteract and overcome some limitations. They include off-target toxicity and mechanisms of cancer immune evasion, which obstacle the successful clinical application of mAbs and CAR T cell-based immunotherapies. Thus, we and others have developed the Fc gamma chimeric receptors (Fcγ-CRs)-based strategy. Like CARs, Fcγ-CRs are composed of an intracellular tail resulting from the fusion of a co-stimulatory molecule with the T cell receptor ζ chain. In contrast, the extracellular CAR single-chain variable fragment (scFv), which recognizes the targeted TAA, has been replaced with the extracellular portion of the FcγRIIIA (CD16). Fcγ-CR T cells have a few intriguing features. First, given in combination with mAbs, Fcγ-CR T cells mediate anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo by an antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity mechanism. Second, CD16-CR T cells can target multiple cancer types provided that TAA-specific mAbs with the appropriate specificity are available. Third, the off-target effect of CD16-CR T cells may be controlled by withdrawing the mAb administration. The goal of this manuscript was threefold. First, we review the current state-of-the-art of preclinical CD16-CR T cell technology. Second, we describe its in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. Finally, we compare the advantages and limitations of the CD16-CR T cell technology with those of CAR T cell methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Caratelli
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Arriga
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Coppola
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Davide Lauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Venditti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Buccisano
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Maurillo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Departments of Surgery and of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Targeting the tumour profile using broad spectrum chimaeric antigen receptor T-cells. Biochem Soc Trans 2016; 44:391-6. [PMID: 27068945 DOI: 10.1042/bst20150266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A variety of distinct and redundant mechanisms support tumour propagation and survival. Tumour parenchyma consists of a variety of geographically diverse cells with varying genetic expression among subclonal populations. Additionally, the solid tumour microenvironment consists of a dense network of stromal, vascular and immune cells altered by a number of mechanisms not only to tolerate but often to enhance cancer growth. The limited spectrum of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell specificity in the face of this dynamic landscape is one of the greatest challenges facing CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumours. Thus targeting multiple cancer-specific markers simultaneously could result in improved efficacy by broadening the therapeutic reach to include multiple subclonal populations of the tumour parenchyma as well as elements of the tumour microenvironment. Over the last 10 years, we and others have developed multiplex platforms that target the tumour profile rather than single tumour-restricted antigens. These platforms introduce a new dimension that may be key to the successful development of T-cell therapies for solid tumours and to the mitigation of relapses due to antigen escape.
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13
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Slaney CY, von Scheidt B, Davenport AJ, Beavis PA, Westwood JA, Mardiana S, Tscharke DC, Ellis S, Prince HM, Trapani JA, Johnstone RW, Smyth MJ, Teng MW, Ali A, Yu Z, Rosenberg SA, Restifo NP, Neeson P, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Dual-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells and an Indirect Vaccine Eradicate a Variety of Large Solid Tumors in an Immunocompetent, Self-antigen Setting. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2478-2490. [PMID: 27965307 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: While adoptive transfer of T cells bearing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) can eliminate substantial burdens of some leukemias, the ultimate challenge remains the eradication of large solid tumors for most cancers. We aimed to develop an immunotherapy approach effective against large tumors in an immunocompetent, self-antigen preclinical mouse model.Experimental Design: In this study, we generated dual-specific T cells expressing both a CAR specific for Her2 and a TCR specific for the melanocyte protein (gp100). We used a regimen of adoptive cell transfer incorporating vaccination (ACTIV), with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing gp100, to treat a range of tumors including orthotopic breast tumors and large liver tumors.Results: ACTIV therapy induced durable complete remission of a variety of Her2+ tumors, some in excess of 150 mm2, in immunocompetent mice expressing Her2 in normal tissues, including the breast and brain. Vaccinia virus induced extensive proliferation of T cells, leading to massive infiltration of T cells into tumors. Durable tumor responses required the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and exogenous IL2, but were independent of IFNγ. Mice were resistant to tumor rechallenge, indicating immune memory involving epitope spreading. Evidence of limited neurologic toxicity was observed, associated with infiltration of cerebellum by T cells, but was only transient.Conclusions: This study supports a view that it is possible to design a highly effective combination immunotherapy for solid cancers, with acceptable transient toxicity, even when the target antigen is also expressed in vital tissues. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2478-90. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Y Slaney
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bianca von Scheidt
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J Davenport
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Westwood
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sherly Mardiana
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David C Tscharke
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sarah Ellis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - H Miles Prince
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele W Teng
- Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aesha Ali
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhiya Yu
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Steven A Rosenberg
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nicholas P Restifo
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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14
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Schutsky K, Song DG, Lynn R, Smith JB, Poussin M, Figini M, Zhao Y, Powell DJ. Rigorous optimization and validation of potent RNA CAR T cell therapy for the treatment of common epithelial cancers expressing folate receptor. Oncotarget 2016; 6:28911-28. [PMID: 26359629 PMCID: PMC4745700 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Using lentiviral technology, we recently demonstrated that incorporation of CD27 costimulation into CARs greatly improves antitumor activity and T cell persistence. Still, virus-mediated gene transfer is expensive, laborious and enables long-term persistence, creating therapies which cannot be easily discontinued if toxic. To address these concerns, we utilized a non-integrating RNA platform to engineer human T cells to express FRα-specific, CD27 CARs and tested their capacity to eliminate human FRα+ cancer. Novel CARs comprised of human components were constructed, C4-27z and C4opt-27z, a codon-optimized variant created for efficient expression. Following RNA electroporation, C4-27z and C4opt-27z CAR expression is initially ubiquitous but progressively declines across T cell populations. In addition, C4-27z and C4opt-27z RNA CAR T cells secrete high levels of Th-1 cytokines and display strong cytolytic function against human FRα+ cancers in a time- and antigen-dependent manner. Further, C4-27z and C4opt-27z CAR T cells exhibit significant proliferation in vivo, facilitate the complete regression of fully disseminated human ovarian cancer xenografts in mice and reduce the progression of solid ovarian cancer. These results advocate for rapid progression of C4opt-27z RNA CAR to the clinic and establish a new paradigm for preclinical optimization and validation of RNA CAR candidates destined for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Schutsky
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - D Gang Song
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rachel Lynn
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jenessa B Smith
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mathilde Poussin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Yangbing Zhao
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel J Powell
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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15
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer immunotherapy has made much progress in recent years. Clinical trials evaluating a variety of immunotherapeutic approaches are underway in patients with malignant gliomas. Thanks to recent advancements in cell engineering technologies, infusion of ex vivo prepared immune cells have emerged as promising strategies of cancer immunotherapy. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors review recent and current studies using cellular immunotherapies for malignant gliomas. Specifically, they cover the following areas: a) cellular vaccine approaches using tumor cell-based or dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines, and b) adoptive cell transfer (ACT) approaches, including lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, γδ T cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and T-cell receptor (TCR) transduced T cells. EXPERT OPINION While some of the recent studies have shown promising results, the ultimate success of cellular immunotherapy in brain tumor patients would require improvements in the following areas: 1) feasibility in producing cellular therapeutics; 2) identification and characterization of targetable antigens given the paucity and heterogeneity of tumor specific antigens; 3) the development of strategies to promote effector T-cell trafficking; 4) overcoming local and systemic immune suppression, and 5) proper interpretation of imaging data for brain tumor patients receiving immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lin
- a Neurological Surgery , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- a Neurological Surgery , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA
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16
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Spear TT, Nagato K, Nishimura MI. Strategies to genetically engineer T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:631-49. [PMID: 27138532 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising and innovative approaches to treat cancer, viral infections, and other immune-modulated diseases. Adoptive immunotherapy using gene-modified T cells is an exciting and rapidly evolving field. Exploiting knowledge of basic T cell biology and immune cell receptor function has fostered innovative approaches to modify immune cell function. Highly translatable clinical technologies have been developed to redirect T cell specificity by introducing designed receptors. The ability to engineer T cells to manifest desired phenotypes and functions is now a thrilling reality. In this review, we focus on outlining different varieties of genetically engineered T cells, their respective advantages and disadvantages as tools for immunotherapy, and their promise and drawbacks in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Spear
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
| | - Kaoru Nagato
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Bldg 112, Room 308, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
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17
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VanSeggelen H, Tantalo DG, Afsahi A, Hammill JA, Bramson JL. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells as oncolytic virus carriers. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2015; 2:15014. [PMID: 27119109 PMCID: PMC4782951 DOI: 10.1038/mto.2015.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of engineered T cells in adoptive transfer therapies has shown significant promise in treating hematological cancers. However, successes treating solid tumors are much less prevalent. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have the capacity to induce specific lysis of tumor cells and indirectly impact tumor growth via vascular shutdown. These viruses bear natural abilities to associate with lymphocytes upon systemic administration, but therapeutic doses must be very high in order to evade antibodies and other components of the immune system. As T cells readily circulate through the body, using these cells to deliver OVs directly to tumors may provide an ideal combination. Our studies demonstrate that loading chimeric antigen receptor–engineered T cells with low doses of virus does not impact receptor expression or function in either murine or human T cells. Engineered T cells can deposit virus onto a variety of tumor targets, which can enhance the tumoricidal activity of the combination treatment. This concept appears to be broadly applicable, as we observed similar results using murine or human T cells, loaded with either RNA or DNA viruses. Overall, loading of engineered T cells with OVs represents a novel combination therapy that may increase the efficacy of both treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather VanSeggelen
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniela Gm Tantalo
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arya Afsahi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanne A Hammill
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan L Bramson
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Frigault MJ, Lee J, Basil MC, Carpenito C, Motohashi S, Scholler J, Kawalekar OU, Guedan S, McGettigan SE, Posey AD, Ang S, Cooper LJN, Platt JM, Johnson FB, Paulos CM, Zhao Y, Kalos M, Milone MC, June CH. Identification of chimeric antigen receptors that mediate constitutive or inducible proliferation of T cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:356-67. [PMID: 25600436 PMCID: PMC4390458 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study compared second-generation chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) encoding signaling domains composed of CD28, ICOS, and 4-1BB (TNFRSF9). Here, we report that certain CARs endow T cells with the ability to undergo long-term autonomous proliferation. Transduction of primary human T cells with lentiviral vectors encoding some of the CARs resulted in sustained proliferation for up to 3 months following a single stimulation through the T-cell receptor (TCR). Sustained numeric expansion was independent of cognate antigen and did not require the addition of exogenous cytokines or feeder cells after a single stimulation of the TCR and CD28. Results from gene array and functional assays linked sustained cytokine secretion and expression of T-bet (TBX21), EOMES, and GATA-3 to the effect. Sustained expression of the endogenous IL2 locus has not been reported in primary T cells. Sustained proliferation was dependent on CAR structure and high expression, the latter of which was necessary but not sufficient. The mechanism involves constitutive signaling through NF-κB, AKT, ERK, and NFAT. The propagated CAR T cells retained a diverse TCR repertoire, and cellular transformation was not observed. The CARs with a constitutive growth phenotype displayed inferior antitumor effects and engraftment in vivo. Therefore, the design of CARs that have a nonconstitutive growth phenotype may be a strategy to improve efficacy and engraftment of CAR T cells. The identification of CARs that confer constitutive or nonconstitutive growth patterns may explain observations that CAR T cells have differential survival patterns in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Frigault
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jihyun Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Ciocca Basil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carmine Carpenito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - John Scholler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Omkar U Kawalekar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sonia Guedan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shannon E McGettigan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avery D Posey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sonny Ang
- Division of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Jesse M Platt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Yangbing Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Kalos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael C Milone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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19
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Kershaw MH, Westwood JA, Slaney CY, Darcy PK. Clinical application of genetically modified T cells in cancer therapy. Clin Transl Immunology 2014; 3:e16. [PMID: 25505964 PMCID: PMC4232070 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2014.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are emerging as highly promising approaches for the treatment of cancer. In these approaches, a variety of materials are used to boost immunity against malignant cells. A key component of many of these approaches is functional tumor-specific T cells, but the existence and activity of sufficient T cells in the immune repertoire is not always the case. Recent methods of generating tumor-specific T cells include the genetic modification of patient lymphocytes with receptors to endow them with tumor specificity. These T cells are then expanded in vitro followed by infusion of the patient in adoptive cell transfer protocols. Genes used to modify T cells include those encoding T-cell receptors and chimeric antigen receptors. In this review, we provide an introduction to the field of genetic engineering of T cells followed by details of their use against cancer in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Kershaw
- Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; Department of Immunology, Monash University , Prahran, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Westwood
- Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Clare Y Slaney
- Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; Department of Immunology, Monash University , Prahran, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Ohno M, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Tanahashi K, June CH, Natsume A, Okada H. Expression of miR-17-92 enhances anti-tumor activity of T-cells transduced with the anti-EGFRvIII chimeric antigen receptor in mice bearing human GBM xenografts. J Immunother Cancer 2013; 1:21. [PMID: 24829757 PMCID: PMC4019893 DOI: 10.1186/2051-1426-1-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Expression of miR-17-92 enhances T-cell survival and interferon (IFN)-γ production. We previously reported that miR-17-92 is down-regulated in T-cells derived from glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We hypothesized that transgene-derived co-expression of miR17-92 and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in T-cells would improve the efficacy of adoptive transfer therapy against GBM. Methods We constructed novel lentiviral vectors for miR-17-92 (FG12-EF1a-miR-17/92) and a CAR consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII)-specific, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) coupled to the T-cell receptor CD3ζ chain signaling module and co-stimulatory motifs of CD137 (4-1BB) and CD28 in tandem (pELNS-3C10-CAR). Human T-cells were transduced with these lentiviral vectors, and their anti-tumor effects were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Results CAR-transduced T-cells (CAR-T-cells) exhibited potent, antigen-specific, cytotoxic activity against U87 GBM cells that stably express EGFRvIII (U87-EGFRvIII) and, when co-transduced with miR-17-92, exhibited improved survival in the presence of temozolomide (TMZ) compared with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. In mice bearing intracranial U87-EGFRvIII xenografts, CAR-T-cells with or without transgene-derived miR-17-92 expression demonstrated similar levels of therapeutic effect without demonstrating any uncontrolled growth of CAR-T-cells. However, when these mice were re-challenged with U87-EGFRvIII cells in their brains, mice receiving co-transduced CAR-T-cells exhibited improved protection compared with mice treated with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. Conclusion These results warrant the development of novel CAR-T-cell strategies that incorporate miR-17-92 to improve therapeutic potency, especially in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masasuke Ohno
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kuniaki Tanahashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Atsushi Natsume
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hideho Okada
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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21
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Abstract
T cells have the capacity to eradicate diseased cells, but tumours present considerable challenges that render T cells ineffectual. Cancer cells often make themselves almost 'invisible' to the immune system, and they sculpt a microenvironment that suppresses T cell activity, survival and migration. Genetic engineering of T cells can be used therapeutically to overcome these challenges. T cells can be taken from the blood of cancer patients and then modified with genes encoding receptors that recognize cancer-specific antigens. Additional genes can be used to enable resistance to immunosuppression, to extend survival and to facilitate the penetration of engineered T cells into tumours. Using genetic modification, highly active, self-propagating 'slayers' of cancer cells can be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. michael.kershaw@ petermac.org
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Duong CPM, Westwood JA, Yong CSM, Murphy A, Devaud C, John LB, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Engineering T cell function using chimeric antigen receptors identified using a DNA library approach. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63037. [PMID: 23667569 PMCID: PMC3646939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of cellular function holds much promise for the treatment of a variety of diseases including gene deficiencies and cancer. However, engineering the full complement of cellular functions can be a daunting genetic exercise since many molecular triggers need to be activated to achieve complete function. In the case of T cells, genes encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) covalently linking antibodies to cytoplasmic signaling domains can trigger some, but not all, cellular functions against cancer cells. To date, relatively few CAR formats have been investigated using a candidate molecule approach, in which rationally chosen molecules were trialed one by one. Therefore, to expedite this arduous process we developed an innovative screening method to screen many thousands of CAR formats to identify genes able to enhance the anticancer ability of T cells. We used a directional in-frame library of randomly assembled signaling domains in a CAR specific for the tumor associated antigen erbB2. Several new and original CARs were identified, one of which had an enhanced ability to lyse cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth in mice. This study highlights novel technology that could be used to screen a variety of molecules for their capacity to induce diverse functions in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie P. M. Duong
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Westwood
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carmen S. M. Yong
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Murphy
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christel Devaud
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liza B. John
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip K. Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael H. Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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23
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CD27 costimulation augments the survival and antitumor activity of redirected human T cells in vivo. Blood 2011; 119:696-706. [PMID: 22117050 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-03-344275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The costimulatory effects of CD27 on T lymphocyte effector function and memory formation has been confined to evaluations in mouse models, in vitro human cell culture systems, and clinical observations. Here, we tested whether CD27 costimulation actively enhances human T-cell function, expansion, and survival in vitro and in vivo. Human T cells transduced to express an antigen-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) containing an intracellular CD3 zeta (CD3ζ) chain signaling module with the CD27 costimulatory motif in tandem exerted increased antigen-stimulated effector functions in vitro, including cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity, compared with CAR-T with CD3ζ alone. After antigen stimulation in vitro, CD27-bearing CAR-T cells also proliferated, up-regulated Bcl-X(L) protein expression, resisted apoptosis, and underwent increased numerical expansion. The greatest impact of CD27 was noted in vivo, where transferred CAR-T cells with CD27 demonstrated heightened persistence after infusion, facilitating improved regression of human cancer in a xenogeneic allograft model. This tumor regression was similar to that achieved with CD28- or 4-1BB-costimulated CARs, and heightened persistence was similar to 4-1BB but greater than CD28. Thus, CD27 costimulation enhances expansion, effector function, and survival of human CAR-T cells in vitro and augments human T-cell persistence and antitumor activity in vivo.
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24
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Gandhi M, Jones K. Optimizing tumor-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells in B-cell lymphoma patients. Immunotherapy 2011; 3:1441-3. [PMID: 22091680 DOI: 10.2217/imt.11.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of: Savoldo B, Ramos CA, Liu E et al. CD28 costimulation improves expansion and persistence of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells in lymphoma patients. J. Clin. Invest. 121(5), 1822-1826 (2011). Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are promising antitumor immunotherapies. However, there are limited reports of persistence, tumor-homing and clinical efficacy in cancer patients. Savoldo and colleagues used a novel approach to compare the use of first- and second-generation tumor-specific CAR-T cells in six B-cell lymphoma patients. They provide one of the first comparisons in human subjects and demonstrate the superiority of second-generation CAR-T cells to expand, survive and home to the tumor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maher Gandhi
- Clinical Immunohaematology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
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25
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Song DG, Ye Q, Carpenito C, Poussin M, Wang LP, Ji C, Figini M, June CH, Coukos G, Powell DJ. In vivo persistence, tumor localization, and antitumor activity of CAR-engineered T cells is enhanced by costimulatory signaling through CD137 (4-1BB). Cancer Res 2011; 71:4617-27. [PMID: 21546571 PMCID: PMC4140173 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-0422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Human T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for folate receptor-α (FRα) have shown robust antitumor activity against epithelial cancers in vitro but not in the clinic because of their inability to persist and home to tumor in vivo. In this study, CARs were constructed containing a FRα-specific scFv (MOv19) coupled to the T-cell receptor CD3ζ chain signaling module alone (MOv19-ζ) or in combination with the CD137 (4-1BB) costimulatory motif in tandem (MOv19-BBζ). Primary human T cells transduced to express conventional MOv19-ζ or costimulated MOv19-BBζ CARs secreted various proinflammatory cytokines, and exerted cytotoxic function when cocultured with FRα(+) tumor cells in vitro. However, only transfer of human T cells expressing the costimulated MOv19-BBζ CAR mediated tumor regression in immunodeficient mice bearing large, established FRα(+) human cancer. MOv19-BBζ CAR T-cell infusion mediated tumor regression in models of metastatic intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and lung-involved human ovarian cancer. Importantly, tumor response was associated with the selective survival and tumor localization of human T cells in vivo and was only observed in mice receiving costimulated MOv19-BBζ CAR T cells. T-cell persistence and antitumor activity were primarily antigen-driven; however, antigen-independent CD137 signaling by CAR improved T-cell persistence but not antitumor activity in vivo. Our results show that anti-FRα CAR outfitted with CD137 costimulatory signaling in tandem overcome issues of T-cell persistence and tumor localization that limit the conventional FRα T-cell targeting strategy to provide potent antitumor activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Gang Song
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Qunrui Ye
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Carmine Carpenito
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mathilde Poussin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Li-Ping Wang
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chunyan Ji
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carl H. June
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - George Coukos
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel J. Powell
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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26
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Wang LXJ, Westwood JA, Moeller M, Duong CPM, Wei WZ, Malaterre J, Trapani JA, Neeson P, Smyth MJ, Kershaw MH, Darcy PK. Tumor ablation by gene-modified T cells in the absence of autoimmunity. Cancer Res 2010; 70:9591-8. [PMID: 21098715 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-2884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy involving genetic modification of T cells with antigen-specific, chimeric, single-chain receptors is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer. To determine whether gene-modified T cells could induce antitumor effects without associated autoimmune pathology, we assessed the ability of T cells expressing an anti-Her-2 chimeric receptor to eradicate tumor in Her-2 transgenic mice that express human Her-2 as a self-antigen in brain and mammary tissues. In adoptive transfer studies, we demonstrated significant improvement in the survival of mice bearing Her-2(+) 24JK tumor following administration of anti-Her-2 T cells compared with control T cells. The incorporation of a lymphoablative step prior to adoptive transfer of anti-Her-2 T cells and administration of IL-2 were both found to further enhance survival. The reduction in tumor growth was also correlated with localization of transferred T cells at the tumor site. Furthermore, an antigen-specific recall response could be induced in long-term surviving mice following rechallenge with Her-2(+) tumor. Importantly, antitumor effects were not associated with any autoimmune pathology in normal tissue expressing Her-2 antigen. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of using gene-engineered T cells as a safe and effective treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne X J Wang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Chekmasova AA, Rao TD, Nikhamin Y, Park KJ, Levine DA, Spriggs DR, Brentjens RJ. Successful eradication of established peritoneal ovarian tumors in SCID-Beige mice following adoptive transfer of T cells genetically targeted to the MUC16 antigen. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:3594-606. [PMID: 20628030 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Most patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer will ultimately die from their disease. For this reason, novel approaches to the treatment of this malignancy are needed. Adoptive transfer of a patient's own T cells, genetically modified ex vivo through the introduction of a gene encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeted to a tumor-associated antigen, is a novel approach to the treatment of ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We have generated several CARs targeted to the retained extracellular domain of MUC16, termed MUC-CD, an antigen expressed on most ovarian carcinomas. We investigate the in vitro biology of human T cells retrovirally transduced to express these CARs by coculture assays on artificial antigen-presenting cells as well as by cytotoxicity and cytokine release assays using the human MUC-CD(+) ovarian tumor cell lines and primary patient tumor cells. Further, we assess the in vivo antitumor efficacy of MUC-CD-targeted T cells in SCID-Beige mice bearing peritoneal human MUC-CD(+) tumor cell lines. RESULTS CAR-modified, MUC-CD-targeted T cells exhibited efficient MUC-CD-specific cytolytic activity against both human ovarian cell and primary ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, expanded MUC-CD-targeted T cells infused through either i.p. injection or i.v. infusion into SCID-Beige mice bearing orthotopic human MUC-CD(+) ovarian carcinoma tumors either delayed progression or fully eradicated disease. CONCLUSION These promising preclinical studies justify further investigation of MUC-CD-targeted T cells as a potential therapeutic approach for patients with high-risk MUC16(+) ovarian carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena A Chekmasova
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
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28
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Hawkins RE, Gilham DE, Debets R, Eshhar Z, Taylor N, Abken H, Schumacher TN. Development of Adoptive Cell Therapy for Cancer: A Clinical Perspective. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 21:665-72. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Hawkins
- Cellular Therapy Group, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, The Paterson Institute of Cancer Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom
| | - David E. Gilham
- Cellular Therapy Group, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, The Paterson Institute of Cancer Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom
| | - Reno Debets
- Laboratory of Experimental Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, 3075EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zelig Eshhar
- The Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Immunology, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Klinik I für Innere Medizin and Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin Köln, Universitat zu Köln, 50931 Köln, Germany
| | - Ton N. Schumacher
- The Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Redirecting T-cell specificity by introducing a tumor-specific chimeric antigen receptor. Blood 2010; 116:1035-44. [PMID: 20439624 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-01-043737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infusions of antigen-specific T cells have yielded therapeutic responses in patients with pathogens and tumors. To broaden the clinical application of adoptive immunotherapy against malignancies, investigators have developed robust systems for the genetic modification and characterization of T cells expressing introduced chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to redirect specificity. Human trials are under way in patients with aggressive malignancies to test the hypothesis that manipulating the recipient and reprogramming T cells before adoptive transfer may improve their therapeutic effect. These examples of personalized medicine infuse T cells designed to meet patients' needs by redirecting their specificity to target molecular determinants on the underlying malignancy. The generation of clinical grade CAR(+) T cells is an example of bench-to-bedside translational science that has been accomplished using investigator-initiated trials operating largely without industry support. The next-generation trials will deliver designer T cells with improved homing, CAR-mediated signaling, and replicative potential, as investigators move from the bedside to the bench and back again.
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30
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Davies DM, Maher J. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy of cancer using chimeric antigen receptor-grafted T cells. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2010; 58:165-78. [PMID: 20373147 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-010-0074-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing the power of the immune system to target cancer has long been a goal of tumor immunologists. One avenue under investigation is the modification of T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Expression of such a receptor enables T-cell specificity to be redirected against a chosen tumor antigen. Substantial research in this field has been carried out, incorporating a wide variety of malignancies and tumor-associated antigens. Ongoing investigations will ensure this area continues to expand at a rapid pace. This review will explain the evolution of CAR technology over the last two decades in addition to detailing the associated benefits and disadvantages. The outcome of recent phase I clinical trials and the impact that these have had upon the direction of future research in this field will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Marc Davies
- King's College London School of Medicine, Research Oncology Section, Division of Cancer Studies, Third Floor Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Hospital Campus, St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RT, UK
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31
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Gene-modified T cells as immunotherapy for multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia expressing the Lewis Y antigen. Gene Ther 2010; 17:678-86. [PMID: 20200563 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2010.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We have evaluated the carbohydrate antigen Lewis(Y) (Le(Y)) as a potential target for T-cell immunotherapy of hematological neoplasias. Analysis of 81 primary bone marrow samples revealed moderate Le(Y) expression on plasma cells of myeloma patients and myeloblasts of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (52 and 46% of cases, respectively). We developed a retroviral vector construct encoding a chimeric T-cell receptor that recognizes the Le(Y) antigen in a major histocompatibility complex-independent manner and delivers co-stimulatory signals to achieve T-cell activation. We have shown efficient transduction of peripheral blood-derived T cells with this construct, resulting in antigen-restricted interferon-gamma secretion and cell lysis of Le(Y)-expressing tumor cells. In vivo activity of gene-modified T cells was demonstrated in the delayed growth of myeloma xenografts in NOD/SCID mice, which prolonged survival. Therefore, targeting Le(Y)-positive malignant cells with T cells expressing a chimeric receptor recognizing Le(Y) was effective both in vitro and in a myeloma mouse model. Consequently, we plan to use T cells manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions in a phase I immunotherapy study for patients with Le(Y)-positive myeloma or AML.
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32
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Zhong XS, Matsushita M, Plotkin J, Riviere I, Sadelain M. Chimeric antigen receptors combining 4-1BB and CD28 signaling domains augment PI3kinase/AKT/Bcl-XL activation and CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor eradication. Mol Ther 2009; 18:413-20. [PMID: 19773745 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 385] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To enhance the strength of activation afforded by tumor antigen-specific receptors, we investigated the effect of adding combined CD28 and 4-1BB costimulatory signaling domains to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Having transferred receptors encompassing the CD28, 4-1BB, and/or CD3zeta cytoplasmic domains in primary human CD8(+) T cells, we find that the P28BBz receptor, which includes all three signaling domains, is superior to receptors that only include one or two of these domains in promoting cytokine release, in vivo T-cell survival and tumor elimination following intravenous T-cell administration to tumor-bearing severe combined immunodeficient (SCID)/beige mice. Upon in vitro exposure to PSMA, the P28BBZ receptor-induced the strongest PI(3)Kinase/Akt activation and Bcl-X(L) expression, and the least apoptosis in transduced peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells. These findings further support the concept of integrating optimized costimulatory properties into recombinant antigen receptors to augment the survival and function of genetically targeted T cells within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Song Zhong
- Center for Cell Engineering, Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
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33
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Wang H, Wei H, Zhang R, Hou S, Li B, Qian W, Zhang D, Kou G, Dai J, Guo Y. Genetically targeted T cells eradicate established breast cancer in syngeneic mice. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:943-50. [PMID: 19188165 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-2381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the capacity and mechanisms of genetically modified erbB2-specific T cells to eradicate erbB2+ tumors in syngeneic mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Primary mouse T cells were modified to target the breast tumor-associated antigen erbB2 through retroviral-mediated transfer of a chimeric antigen receptor, termed single-chain antibody (scFv)-CD28-zeta. Antitumor efficacy of scFv-CD28-zeta-modified T cells was analyzed in mice bearing D2F2/E2 breast tumors. RESULTS The scFv-CD28-zeta-modified T cells were shown to specifically secrete T cytotoxic-1 cytokines and lyse erbB2+ breast tumor cells following receptor stimulation in vitro. Treatment with scFv-CD28-zeta-modified T cells was able to lead to long-term, tumor-free survival in mice bearing erbB2+ D2F2/E2 breast tumors. Importantly, the surviving mice developed a host memory response to D2F2/E2 tumor cells, and this host response was able to protect against a rechallenge with erbB2+ D2F2/E2 tumor cells and parental erbB2(-) D2F2 tumor cells. In addition, scFv-CD28-zeta T-cell expression of perforin and interferon-gamma were essential for complete antitumor efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with scFv-CD28-zeta-modified T cells was able to induce a host antitumor immunity in syngeneic mice. Complete tumor elimination by scFv-CD28-zeta-modified T cells required T cell-derived interferon-gamma and perforin, indicating that cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion play a role in the in vivo response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- International Joint Cancer Institute and Changhai Hospital Cancer Center, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Sadelain M, Brentjens R, Rivière I. The promise and potential pitfalls of chimeric antigen receptors. Curr Opin Immunol 2009; 21:215-23. [PMID: 19327974 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2009.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 359] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
One important purpose of T cell engineering is to generate tumor-targeted T cells through the genetic transfer of antigen-specific receptors, which consist of either physiological, MHC-restricted T cell receptors (TCRs) or non MHC-restricted chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). CARs combine antigen-specificity and T cell activating properties in a single fusion molecule. First generation CARs, which included as their signaling domain the cytoplasmic region of the CD3zeta or Fc receptor gamma chain, effectively redirected T cell cytotoxicity but failed to enable T cell proliferation and survival upon repeated antigen exposure. Receptors encompassing both CD28 and CD3zeta are the prototypes for second generation CARs, which are now rapidly expanding to a diverse array of receptors with different functional properties. First generation CARs have been tested in phase I clinical studies in patients with ovarian cancer, renal cancer, lymphoma, and neuroblastoma, where they have induced modest responses. Second generation CARs, which are just now entering the clinical arena in the B cell malignancies and other cancers, will provide a more significant test for this approach. If the immunogenicity of CARs can be averted, the versatility of their design and HLA-independent antigen recognition will make CARs tools of choice for T cell engineering for the development of targeted cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Sadelain
- Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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35
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Rabinovich PM, Komarovskaya ME, Wrzesinski SH, Alderman JL, Budak-Alpdogan T, Karpikov A, Guo H, Flavell RA, Cheung NK, Weissman SM, Bahceci E. Chimeric receptor mRNA transfection as a tool to generate antineoplastic lymphocytes. Hum Gene Ther 2009; 20:51-61. [PMID: 19025415 PMCID: PMC2855249 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2008.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA transfection is a useful approach for temporal cell reprogramming with minimal risk of transgene-mediated mutagenesis. We applied this to redirect lymphocyte cytotoxicity toward malignant cells. Using the chimeric immune receptor (CIR) constructs anti-CD19 CIR and 8H9 CIR, we achieved uniform expression of CIRs on virtually the entire population of lymphocytes. We reprogrammed CD3+ CD8+, CD3+ CD4+, and natural killer (NK ) cells toward autologous and allogeneic targets such as B cells, Daudi lymphoma, primary melanoma, breast ductal carcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The reprogramming procedure is fast. Although most of the experiments were performed on lymphocytes obtained after 7-day activation, only 1-day activation of T cells with anti-CD3, anti-CD28 antibodies, and interleukin-2 is sufficient to develop both lymphocyte cytotoxicity and competence for mRNA transfer. The entire procedure, which includes lymphocyte activation and reprogramming, can be completed in 2 days. The efficiency of mRNA-modified human T cells was tested in a murine xenograft model. Human CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes expressing anti-CD19 CIR mRNA inhibited Daudi lymphoma growth in NOD=SCID mice. These results demonstrate that a mixed population of cytotoxic lymphocytes, including T cells together with NK cells, can be quickly and simultaneously reprogrammed by mRNA against autologous malignancies. With relatively minor modifications the described method of lymphocyte reprogramming can be scaled up for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Rabinovich
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Marina E. Komarovskaya
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Stephen H. Wrzesinski
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Jonathan L. Alderman
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | | | - Alexander Karpikov
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Hongfen Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021
| | - Richard A. Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Nai-Kong Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021
| | - Sherman M. Weissman
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Erkut Bahceci
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
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Emtage PCR, Lo ASY, Liu DL, Gomes EM, Gonzalo-Daganzo R, Junghans RP. Second-generation anti-carcinoembryonic antigen designer T cells resist activation-induced cell death, proliferate on tumor contact, secrete cytokines, and exhibit superior antitumor activity in vivo: a preclinical evaluation. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:8112-22. [PMID: 19088026 PMCID: PMC2659496 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-4910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This report describes the development and preclinical qualification tests of second-generation anti-carcinoembryonic (CEA) designer T cells for use in human trials. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The progenitor first-generation immunoglobulin-T-cell receptor (IgTCR) that transmits Signal 1-only effectively mediated chimeric immune receptor (CIR)-directed cytotoxicity, but expressor T cells succumbed to activation-induced cell death (AICD). The second-generation CIR (termed "Tandem" for two signals) was designed to transmit TCR Signal 1 and CD28 Signal 2 to render T cells resistant to AICD and provide prolonged antitumor effect in vivo. RESULTS A CIR was created that combines portions of CD28, TCRzeta, and a single chain antibody domain (sFv) specific for CEA into a single molecule (IgCD28TCR). As designed, the gene-modified Tandem T cells exhibit the new property of being resistant to AICD, showing instead an accelerated proliferation on tumor contact. Tandem T cells are more potent than first generation in targeting and lysing CEA+ tumor. Tandem T cells secrete high levels of interleukin-2 and IFNgamma on tumor contact that first-generation T cells lacked, but secretion was exhaustible, suggesting a need for interleukin-2 supplementation in therapy even for these second-generation agents. Finally, second-generation T cells were more effective in suppressing tumor in animal models. CONCLUSION An advanced generation of anti-CEA designer T cells is described with features that promise a more potent and enduring antitumor immune response in vivo. These preclinical data qualify the human use of this agent that is currently undergoing trial in patients with CEA+ cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- PCR Emtage
- Division of Hematology –Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institute of Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - ASY Lo
- Division of Hematology –Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institute of Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - DL Liu
- Division of Hematology –Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institute of Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - EM Gomes
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908
| | - R Gonzalo-Daganzo
- Division of Hematology –Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institute of Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - RP Junghans
- Division of Hematology –Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Institute of Human Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908
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Yu K, Hu Y, Tan Y, Shen Z, Jiang S, Qian H, Liang B, Shan D. Immunotherapy of lymphomas with T cells modified by anti-CD20 scFv/CD28/CD3zeta recombinant gene. Leuk Lymphoma 2008; 49:1368-73. [PMID: 18452062 DOI: 10.1080/10428190802064958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
One of the approaches to make anti-CD20 antibody more efficient is to express this antibody on the surface of T cells. scFv from anti-CD20 antibody has been expressed on T cell surface to bind to CD20 positive cells and CD3zeta has been expressed as a fusion partner to transduct signals. T cells grafted with this chimeric scFv/CD3zeta were able to redirect grafted T cells to an MHC/Ag-independent antitumor response. To test the effects of CD28 signal on the cellular activation and antitumor effectiveness of chimeric scFv/CD3zeta modified T cells, we constructed a recombinant anti-CD20 scFv/CD28/CD3zeta gene in a retroviral vector. T cells expressing anti-CD20 scFv/CD28/CD3zeta specifically lysed CD20 positive target tumor cells and secreted not only IFN-gamma but also IL-2 after binding to their target cells. Our data indicate that CD3 and CD28 signalling can be delivered in one molecule, which is sufficient for complete T cell activation without exogenous B7/CD28 costimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Yu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Moisini I, Nguyen P, Fugger L, Geiger TL. Redirecting therapeutic T cells against myelin-specific T lymphocytes using a humanized myelin basic protein-HLA-DR2-zeta chimeric receptor. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:3601-11. [PMID: 18292588 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.5.3601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Therapies that Ag-specifically target pathologic T lymphocytes responsible for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases would be expected to have improved therapeutic indices compared with Ag-nonspecific therapies. We have developed a cellular immunotherapy that uses chimeric receptors to selectively redirect therapeutic T cells against myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T lymphocytes implicated in MS. We generated two heterodimeric receptors that genetically link the human MBP84-102 epitope to HLA-DR2 and either incorporate or lack a TCRzeta signaling domain. The Ag-MHC domain serves as a bait, binding the TCR of MBP-specific target cells. The zeta signaling region stimulates the therapeutic cell after cognate T cell engagement. Both receptors were well expressed on primary T cells or T hybridomas using a tricistronic (alpha, beta, green fluorescent protein) retroviral expression system. MBP-DR2-zeta-, but not MBP-DR2, modified CTL were specifically stimulated by cognate MBP-specific T cells, proliferating, producing cytokine, and killing the MBP-specific target cells. The receptor-modified therapeutic cells were active in vivo as well, eliminating Ag-specific T cells in a humanized mouse model system. Finally, the chimeric receptor-modified CTL ameliorated or blocked experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) disease mediated by MBP84-102/DR2-specific T lymphocytes. These results provide support for the further development of redirected therapeutic T cells able to counteract pathologic, self-specific T lymphocytes, and specifically validate humanized MBP-DR2-zeta chimeric receptors as a potential therapeutic in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Moisini
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Houtenbos I, Santegoets S, Westers TM, Waisfisz Q, Kipriyanov S, Denkers F, Scheper RJ, de Gruijl TD, Ossenkoppele GJ, van de Loosdrecht AA. The novel bispecific diabody CD40CD28 strengthens leukaemic dendritic cell-induced T-cell reactivity. Br J Haematol 2008; 142:273-83. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.06990.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Moeller M, Kershaw MH, Cameron R, Westwood JA, Trapani JA, Smyth MJ, Darcy PK. Sustained antigen-specific antitumor recall response mediated by gene-modified CD4+ T helper-1 and CD8+ T cells. Cancer Res 2008; 67:11428-37. [PMID: 18056471 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Given that specific subsets of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) CD4(+) T cells have been shown to play key roles in tumor rejection models, we wanted to assess the contribution of either Th1 or Th2 CD4(+) cell subtypes for redirected T-cell immunotherapy. In this study, we have developed a novel method involving retroviral transduction and in vitro T-cell polarization to generate gene-engineered mouse CD4(+) Th1 and Th2 cells or T helper intermediate (Thi) cells expressing an anti-erbB2-CD28-zeta chimeric receptor. Gene-modified Th1 and Th2 polarized CD4(+) cells were characterized by the preferential secretion of IFN-gamma and interleukin-4, respectively, whereas Thi cells secreted both cytokines following receptor ligation. In adoptive transfer studies using an erbB2(+) lung metastasis model, complete survival of mice was observed when transduced Th1, Th2, or Thi CD4(+) cells were transferred in combination with an equivalent number of transduced CD8(+) T cells. Tumor rejection was consistently associated with transduced T cells at the tumor site and interleukin-2 secretion. However, the surviving mice treated with gene-modified Th1 CD4(+) cells were significantly more resistant to a subsequent challenge with a different erbB2(+) tumor (4T1.2) implanted s.c. This result correlated with both increased expansion of Th1 CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the blood and a greater number of these cells localizing to the tumor site following rechallenge. These data support the use of gene-modified CD4(+) Th1 and CD8(+) T cells for mediating a sustained antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moeller
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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41
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Nguyen P, Duthoit CT, Geiger TL. Induction of tolerance and immunity by redirected B cell-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes. Gene Ther 2007; 14:1739-49. [PMID: 17928872 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3303045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric receptors bearing ligand recognition domains linked to signaling regions from the T-cell receptor can redirect T lymphocytes against non-MHC-restricted targets. Cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) expressing these chimeric receptors are being tested in preclinical and clinical trials for activity in cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmunity. The chimeric receptors may incorporate antigenic epitopes previously unrecognized by the immune system. Whether a receptor-specific antibody response develops to these neoantigens and whether such a response inhibits therapeutic cell activity is unknown. We hypothesized that upon engagement of a chimeric receptor-specific B cell, receptor-modified CTL will be activated, lysing the B cell and inducing tolerance to the chimeric receptor rather than immunity. We demonstrate that receptor-modified CTL are indeed stimulated by cognate receptor-specific B cells, proliferate and produce cytokines in response and kill the B cells in vitro and in vivo. However, this is insufficient to induce full B-cell tolerance. Modified CTL induce a chimeric receptor-specific antibody response independent of any other source of antigen. Nevertheless, the CTL retain substantial activity even in the presence of saturating doses of receptor-specific antibody. Thus antichimeric receptor antibody responses need to be considered in the clinical use of chimeric receptor-modified T cells. However, the inhibitory activity of these antibodies may in cases be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Guinn BA, Kasahara N, Farzaneh F, Habib NA, Norris JS, Deisseroth AB. Recent Advances and Current Challenges in Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1065-71. [PMID: 17375068 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in animal studies, where the cure of the majority of mice with pre-established (albeit early-stage) tumors has become almost standard, human clinical trials have been much less successful. Here we describe some of the most recent advances in the specialist field of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, highlighting salient work to identify key problem areas and potential solutions. We make particular note of recent developments in adoptive therapy; whole-cell, DNA, and peptide vaccines; and antibody therapy. We also describe the revival of interest in regulatory T cells and conclude by detailing the need for clinical trial read-out autonomy and methods to predict which patients will respond to a particular treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara-ann Guinn
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College London School of Medicine, The Rayne, Institute, London, UK.
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Hombach A, Abken H. Costimulation tunes tumor-specific activation of redirected T cells in adoptive immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2007; 56:731-7. [PMID: 17143613 PMCID: PMC11029842 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-006-0249-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2006] [Accepted: 10/24/2006] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Redirecting T cell effector functions towards pre-defined target cells represents an attractive concept in the adoptive immunotherapy of malignant diseases. Our understanding of the mechanisms of T cell activation and costimulation as well as the design of recombinant T cell receptors have made major progress in the last years. Translating recent concepts of T cell stimulation into recombinant protein design provides the basis to engineer T cells with both pre-defined specificity and costimulatory capacity in order to enhance anti-tumor immunity and to break tolerance. Dual signaling immunoreceptors providing the CD3zeta signal simultaneously with an appropriate costimulatory signal moreover allows to modulate the quality of the anti-tumor T cell response in a predicted fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hombach
- Tumorgenetik, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, and Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin Köln, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50931 Köln, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Tumorgenetik, Klinik I für Innere Medizin, and Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin Köln, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50931 Köln, Germany
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Moeller M, Haynes NM, Kershaw MH, Jackson JT, Teng MWL, Street SE, Cerutti L, Jane SM, Trapani JA, Smyth MJ, Darcy PK. Adoptive transfer of gene-engineered CD4+ helper T cells induces potent primary and secondary tumor rejection. Blood 2005; 106:2995-3003. [PMID: 16030195 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2004-12-4906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Because CD4+ T cells play a key role in aiding cellular immune responses, we wanted to assess whether increasing numbers of gene-engineered antigen-restricted CD4+ T cells could enhance an antitumor response mediated by similarly gene-engineered CD8+ T cells. In this study, we have used retroviral transduction to generate erbB2-reactive mouse T-cell populations composed of various proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ cells and then determined the antitumor reactivity of these mixtures. Gene-modified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were shown to specifically secrete Tc1 (T cytotoxic-1) or Tc2 cytokines, proliferate, and lyse erbB2+ tumor targets following antigen ligation in vitro. In adoptive transfer experiments using severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice, we demonstrated that injection of equivalent numbers of antigen-specific engineered CD8+ and CD4+ T cells led to significant improvement in survival of mice bearing established lung metastases compared with transfer of unfractionated (largely CD8+) engineered T cells. Transferred CD4+ T cells had to be antigen-specific (not just activated) and secrete interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) to potentiate the antitumor effect. Importantly, antitumor responses in these mice correlated with localization and persistence of gene-engineered T cells at the tumor site. Strikingly, mice that survived primary tumor challenge could reject a subsequent rechallenge. Overall, this study has highlighted the therapeutic potential of using combined transfer of antigen-specific gene-modified CD8+ and CD4+ T cells to significantly enhance T-cell adoptive transfer strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moeller
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett St, East Melbourne, 8006, Victoria, Australia
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